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Jesus, Example of Patience (2/5)

Jesus rarely used the word "patient" or "patience" as recorded in the gospel records. Neither is Jesus explicitly spoken of by the other inspired New Testament writers as being a person who exhibited exemplary patience. However, by noticing the life of Jesus and His demeanor while upon the earth, a serious student of the scriptures will soon conclude that He was patient to the ultimate degree.

To begin to understand the patience of Christ, we look to the end of His earthly life. Note some of the taunts which He heard at Calvary: "And those who passed by blasphemed Him, wagging their heads and saying, 'You who destroy the temple and build it in three days, save Yourself! If You are the Son of God, come down from the cross.' Likewise the chief priests also, mocking with the scribes and elders, said, 'He saved others; Himself He cannot save. If He is the King of Israel, let Him now come down from the cross, and we will believe Him. He trusted in God; let Him deliver Him now if He will have Him; for He said, I am the Son of God.'" (Matthew 27.39-43). These words depicted the attitude of a significant contingent of the people; the religious establishment almost to a man believed Jesus to be an impostor. Except for the common people Jesus had virtually no favored reception in the land of Israel and among His people.

Yet, Jesus did not save Himself from the suffering of Calvary; He did not take action to escape the arresting party or to come down from the cross. If the biblical record is to be believed at all, He had the power to stop the process at any time in as much as he had twelve legions of angels at His disposal (Matthew 26.50-53). He full-well realized the significance of the events that would result in His betrayal and crucifixion, but He chose to allow them to transpire anyway. As He said to His disciples on one occasion, "Now My soul is troubled, and what shall I say? 'Father, save Me from this hour'? But for this purpose I came to this hour." (John 12.27). So, in spite of the fact that He knew what was being done and the end result, and in spite of the fact that He had the ability to call a halt to the process at any time, He willingly submitted Himself to the hands of wicked and sinful men.

If we define patience as the resolve to persevere toward a righteous objective regardless of the trials or sufferings that might tend to detract or turn aside, Jesus certainly was patient. The distractions that were thrown into His pathway as He made the three-year trek from the shores of Jordan to Calvary were enough to make angels weep and might men cringe, but He kept on course; He did not swerve nor change directions at any time. The wonder of this fact is wrapped up in another attribute which He possessed, namely His love for humanity; nothing short of unconditional and undying love could account for such a feat.

One thing should be evident to us – there will be no acceptable excuse for failing to possess the patience we need to stay the course. Paul knew he had to continue unswervingly so he wrote, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing." (2 Timothy 2.7-8).

"Refreshment in Refuge" from Gina Burgess

3 steps to peace...